Romania... Clear the Stage

We are here! Shawn and I feel like we are home. How is that even possible? Only the Glory of God!

He is the author of the story of the glory of God! In my mind I had so much to tell you but as I sit here I am unable to find even the simplesst words. It was another long journey here full of adventure as usual with our family. We spent the day today Celebrating Easter, again. Its my favorite Holy Day and I consider it a gift to be able to celebrate it twice in the same year. Up early to Henrys devotionals. That young man has grown into quite the guy. I am so proud of him. Leading and being such a gentleman. It is so cool to see how much he has grown in his walk this last year. Church was like a little family reunion... seeing faces of the past few years and having them recognize us too. It feels so natural to walk in those doors... Shawn gave a message to the church. Seriously my heart bursts for this man. Just knowing how much he loves these people and watching him step out in absolute faith that God is who He says He is and his hearts desire for each person to experience Him fully. Its a beautiful thing to watch youre family serve on the Mission Field. Shelby and Ian could hardly wait to get to the village today. Ian wants to be outside with them playing soccer... today we did mostly indoor things due to the time we had to spend with them but the time for that will come. Of course of all the team members who have returned.. the kids all remembered Shelbys name. Funny thing is.. they knew the members of my family and all thought Henry was one of our kids too. we tell Henry He is our adopted Mission child.. I think he likes that. He looks nothing like us... But then again our image is the same! At Toarcla, Brenda jumped in with both feet and led the Bible story of "All things New" and the craft! The children were each given a small box of crayons and colored butterflys that were 3D and in a string to hang someplace as a reminder that God takes all things and makes them a new creation. No matter what! They sang us songs and we sang one back to them in English. Their little lips were twisting trying to sing along much like ours do when we try to sing in Romanian. In church this evening the little people sang songs and recited scripture. It was great to see them as a part of the worship service. Jonathan said his verse and walked to his mommy, Corinna, and asked her did I do good Momma? So sweet!

The youth group sang songes for us too. Only this youth group was filled with the Mission House Students from Christ the Rock. They stood with the youth and sang to us in Romanian. They went to Romania prepared and now understanding the culture and seeking to join in with them locking elbows seeking to understand them and learn. Christ the Rock should be very proud of these young adults that they sent here to bring the Kingdom Glory! I am not a parent of these youth but come on if I were I would be beaming and smiling from ear to ear! They are living and loving well. Building relationships and serving. Its a beautiful thing and I feel so honored to be able to see a little piece of this and I only wish to be able to see a little of Rose's journey in India. If I could walk with her a little in person.. but I trust she is adjusted and living the same way. Friends, the house parents of the Mission House/Reach House of Christ the Rock, Don and Eileen have done a fine job loving them and leading well. What a labor of love. We should each take time to thank them for the investment in these lives as well as those in our church doing the same. We have talented servants in our community.

The hope of  the God that can handle my "rocks" still lives. The stone was rolled away for He is risen, indeed! For we are finally FREE in the Love of a Father!

 

and So Begins the COUNTdown!

Here we go... a week and 4 days until we depart and honestly I believe we have some serious Romanian influence running in our veins. We havent started packing. Not a single list is being made... and I am a planner. Very few supplies have made their way into a pile in our "Designated Packing Area". And no big deal....right? well...
No big deal is true. As a family we have learned that packing clothes comes second to packing supplies. Once all our supplies are together we will manage to fit a bit of clothing in there to suffice :)
Financing rolls in.. we are truely a blessed family that has the priveledge each year to return to Romania and continue this Mission TOGETHER. I dont know many families that have this ability and I want you to know that we are so grateful! When there was a thought that Shawn would be going without the kids and I .. there is no way for me to explain that feeling. All we could do in that moment was trust that we would make the right decision and within 3 days we all had airline tickets and within one month the funds were all accounted for. Only God.
I remember explaining to a friend, Vickie, that we wouldnt be going as a family to Romania this year. Instead of the usual, "Oh I sorry to hear that" response she looked me right in the eye and said, "Well how come?" I had her complete attention.. yet all I had to offer her were excuses. "Travel to and from Louisiana was expensive"... which meant I didnt trust that He would provide. "The kids missed a lot of school" .... which meant I feared the school districtmore than Gods plan. "I am completely out of vacation time"... well she had some to spare. Thats it. Thats all I had to offer.... a bunch of excuses. In that brief moment.. I heard how little I trust afterall and I was completely humbled in my shoes by a friend who wasnt willing to accept my excuses. As iron sharpens iron... a true friend.
I emailed Shawn.... call the school let them know our kids are not truant and they will be missing another week. If theres a problem then we wont go... the school gave their blessing and we began fundraising and praying for a miracle. I am grateful for the challenge of a friend to finally live what I offer is true.
So
Planning or no planning.. HIS will be done, I trust completely in this to be true because I have seen it... time and time again. And my husband get to say, I told you so.

May 3-12, 2013 Mission, on our way!

To be Continued....

Hard Choices and Bold Faith

In the middle of decision making, often times I find myself asking "what am I suppose to do?"
The phrase I dislike the most is.... just be still. Those words dont seem like advice to me. On the contrary.  More like an excuse. As if to say I dont know what to tell you so... I will just tell you to be still. What does that even mean? How does one... be still? In fact it seems the calling to go and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the very opposite of be still... it is full of action with set apart time to pray and reflect and soak in the direction and instruction of the Lord in our lives. I am learning the "be still" part of His heart... in the midst of serving.
The last time I stopped by here and wrote my heart for all to read I prayed for God to call us each to go and love and serve and share. Not limited by circumstances or choice or even location but that we each had a calling or more a burden to share Christ with those around us. I had no idea how this would impact my life and I come to you today to share and open my heart for you to see.
 This year was a little different... my 94 year old grandfather was ailing and bouncing from Skilled facility to Hospital over the Holidays, November to December 2012. I live 1200 miles from "home" and was waiting patiently for the call that would carry me urgently to say my final goodbyes. It pained my heart terribly to hear my Daddy describe his sadness over the struggles of his own Father's illness and not being able to support him physically was very difficult.
In January this year my grandfather began to slip further away.... in and out of consciousness daily then over days he wouldnt communicate. My husband made the call January 10, 2013 at 10pm that he would be sending me to Louisiana the very next day to say my final goodbye to my grandfather. And to be with my grandmother as she sat patiently waiting the day she would no longer hold the hand of her "true love" for 74 years. It was heartwrenching to even consider.
With great trepidation, I went. Leaving my husband to care for and nurture the family here in Wisconsin... tending to the schedule and shuttling busy teen-agers from activity and competition and parties, the things I love and enjoy most of motherhood. I trusted my husband, that he made the right decision for us, and that I should go...
I landed in Louisiana late in the night the following day, a Friday. It was too late to visit the nursing home and I was wiped out. I spent the late hours reading and worshiping in my hotel room... a late night text from a friend encouraged me to revisit the calling on my life as a Bold Woman of Christ. This is what she told me... Hard choices and bold faith are part of the purpose driven journey.. you are called to take. Life can get messy. Sometimes doing the right thing causes life to get even harder. In times like these you must persevere because despite the difficulties, you know the path you are pursuing has eternal purpose and Gods reward.... in that moment I knew Shawn made the right call. I was where I needed to be and the stillenss of my heart and the encouragement of a friend were my validation and source of strength.
I cannot explain the excitement in my heart when I walked into that nursing home room and saw my family there... and sat by my grandfather as he looked me in the eyes and said "hello". He was awake. Not only was he awake, he was talking and having a sip of coffee with us all. I sat patiently waiting for him to know who I was. I hadnt seen him in 4 years. He stared into my eyes, intense and accepting this challenge. Conversation carried on and moments like forever passed before Papop looked at me and said, "I know who you are, you're Candy Cane". He knew my name.. tears flood my eyes even still as I recall that moment and the way it felt to be known. He not only recalled me but he realized my husband, Shawn and my children were not in the room. He remembered that we live far away and that it was very cold at home and he mentioned that my children were no longer babies but getting older. I was awestruck... this man was my grandfather but I didnt have the relationship with him that some of my cousins did with being close or that I though he would even remember my family. But he did and I was greatly humbled and moved deeply in my heart. He knew me. He cared to know me.
That room was full of energy and love and my cousins were there that I hadnt seen in 15 years. Some were married and had babies of their own and we just sat and talked and shared and cried together. Papop would join in every once in awhile... wanting to be a part of the many conversations going on all at once which is very normal for this large family that loves to talk. Papop would normally tell us when it was time to leave and then say "come back soon but not tomorrow". Today, he didnt want us to leave so we lingered...
Later that evening it was very clear that he was refusing to nap and that he was getting very tired. Each of us made that call that it was time to go and allow him to rest. None of us wanting to leave but knowing we should. I couldnt go... I had a sense of urgency... a fire in my heart that couldnt be extinguished by anything but courage.
I dont remember the way the conversation began exactly but I knelt on the side of his bed with eye contact so steady we saw each others hearts. We looked into each others eyes and we talked about Jesus. His love. His Sacrifice. His Eternal Friendship and desire for us to know Him.
I dont think any of us in the room expected that to happen.... but we were glad it did. We prayed together. Sang together and washed our grandfather with memories and thanks and love. He told us it was ok to go but that he wanted us all back there the next day.
We returned that Sunday morning... to our grandfather who was already back in his world of quiet and pain and rest.
He died exactly one week from that beautiful day and joined Jesus! Oh what a friend we have in Him.
The funeral was lavish for a farming man. I lived thinking I didnt know him and all along he knew me.
We think there needs to be a big banner that calls us to action.. that we need to do something important and chase after the calling of God on our lives. The only thing we should be chasing after is Him. THe only one who knows us and will never leave us. If that doesnt bring great comfort then we are too comfortable!
Jesus longs for us to know Him... afterall, He knows your name.

Blessing after Blessing...

I stand before the mirror searching my reflection for the color of the day... also known as putting on my make up... Im getting ready for work this morning and I hear a still small voice and a single word.. Blessings.
My sister in law, Yvette, is currently on her maiden mission to Honduras and this was her post this morning on her social website.... "well yesterday was the hardest day for me. Started off amazing bringing VBS to a school down the road. Lots of excited children with smiles on their faces! Then the hard part. We went into the hills to feed the children. That would be their only meal for the day and it made my heart break knowing that I would be going back to our home here to eat two more. They were so independent and helped one another..."
I read this post and stood before the mirror and it all came back to me in a flood of emotions and pictures I cannot explain. I simply said...  literally... out loud... "Show me Lord"
I learn better in pictures and hands on situations and I saw birthday presents, beautifully wrapped and packaged and inside each one was a blessing. Throughout my life what was meant in my story as a trial has been a victory one after the other. I was reminded how each person individually blessed me and encouraged me and how one decision, one single most important decision changed my life forever. I humbled myself to His Word and promises and know His promises for me are true.
The day my husband, Shawn, told me we would be going to Romania as a family. We chose that day to draw a line in the sand and serve the Lord..... we live each day here in America working and serving a purpose with a hearts desire to do one thing... get our feet back on Romanian soil to impact one life at a time. I was overwhelmed with emotions as I thought about my sister in Honduras experiencing this for the first time and I remembered what it was like. I saw the faces that touched my heart in ways I never thought possible. How can you possibly love so much? How can you feel so many emotions at one time? And no this isnt just because I am a woman... I see it in my husbands eyes too. I know from what he has communicated with me how this has deeply changed him .
There isnt a day... not one single DAY that passes by that I dont think of them and miss them all. That I dont lift my eyes upward and whisper prayers of protection and revival in the land, all of HIS land. That I dont think of ways to get back to them so I can be with them and learn from them. Do you get that? I want to learn from them. I dont want to go and change them and somehow make them more like us...there is so much to gain from being with them and soaking them up! I cannot believe how much one decision has changed my life forever. I have hope in being with them... peace being with them and overwhelming LOVE and JOY! I am comforted in every aspect of my life that going to Romania is the absolute right thing to do. The right place to be and I long to be with them the moment I leave them. We chose to serve HIM and have been abundantly blessed and changed forever. My heart desires Gods will for my life... one step at a time and wherever He has my feet firmly planted or gently placed.
It takes one simple decision.... to follow Him wherever He has you go. Across the street... to a co-worker, mailman, friend or even to a complete stranger. How can you impact someones life? What simple thing or act can you do to help someone, or show someone that you care. You may be the last face or person to interact with them today... will they know they are loved or continue thinking that no one cares?Search your heart for the blessings He has given you .... If you cant see them... Ask Him to show you! I promise you... they are there! My family in Romania, how I love you, each of you and I am grateful for the gift of you.
Father thank you for your companionship and your never ending love. Bless this reader in ways only You can through Your love and mercy. May we follow you into cities and neighborhoods and offices and bless us as we seek to know You more. Change us so we may bring change.. one life at a time and beginning with us. Amen.

Choose today...

He knows every thought before we think it.... so why not be honest with what we are thinking if He knows it anyway?
Thats not really that difficult... sometimes I think that if I dont say it out loud... He wont hear me and wont know I am thinking it.... whatever IT is.... not I havent lost my mind.... well maybe I have.. KEEP READING.
I had no idea it had been since April the last I blogged. How sad, I loveblogging and chatting with you and sharing what God has done in our lives and hearts. So what took me so long.... ok I will tell you.
Simply this, we hit the ground running since we got home from Romania. The minute we land we start planning how to get back on that plane. Sometimes we get so busy doing that very thing we dont take the time to thank our sponsors. Last year we had a great dinner to thank you all.... this year we plan to do that very thing in August, more on that soon.
We have been blessed to spend time with Kyle and Petry and their beautiful family while they were in America.... Petry Graduated! What a blessed accomplishment and how that will bring Him Glory in so many ways, God truely has a plan for this family and how awesome to be cheering from the sidelines in a race we know is HIS! AMEN!
Ever since we have been met with many questions... one in particular... Are you guys having another Car Show? The answer was NO.... for many many reasons.. IT takes a LOT of time (my husband is on the phone all summer) it takes a lot of effort... and the profit margin just isnt there... getting the word out about the show means attending a LOT of car shows... its hot.... ok you get the point, can you hear my heart OOZING selfishness and DOUBT! It wasnt what we expected last year.. and He revealed it was EXACTLY as He expected. Ok... I give!
I cannot tell you how many times we have been asked... since April 2012 seriously! People from last years car show have approached and literally called Shawn to inquire the date to save it for this show.... the show we werent having. The show that other car shows rearranged their own schedule because the HOH car show was such the "talk" last year they didnt want to compete... really, come on!
Last year... it was terribly emotional. The car show existed to do one thing and this was our heart cry...... To Bring God Glory and show His great love... and I believe without counting numbers that was done and done very well... so why were we disappointed?? Yea, thats what I was thinking and didnt want to admit.. but I knew that He knew... ya with me?
So .. we have humbled ourselves to follow His will for our lives no matter the cost and we will have another car show.
We stand upon the Rock of Gibralter and know that our God is bigger than any circumstance and he has provided so we may do His work here in America and across the world in Romania... He didnt bring us this far to give up because it cost us or because its difficult. May we encourage you in the ways we have been encouraged... do not doubt your faith for a single second! He is El Shaddai.... and we trust in Him.
with that said... any profits made from our portion of the Car Show will go directly to Mathew Family on a Mission transportation funds.... to Romania! And this continues "Fundraising Season" for the Mathew Family....
Chili Dinner at CTR to be determined soon... looking to September for this one.
Cheesecake fundraiser.... begins in August also... we have raised the cost for the individual cakes to $35 each. The profit margin was pretty tight last year and although successful our out of pocket cost was high. The flavors offered will be increased too... keep an eye out for that blog soon! For now, we will focus our efforts on the Car Show.... will you join us in prayer for the show... For His Glory to shine on that place and to decrease each of us that He may increase.... be blessed reader and be inspired to GO where you are called where your two feet touch the ground! Lock arms and walk together...

Run to run, not to win!

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1
Run the race... I think its the word "race" that cause us to want to win. What are we running to win? What is the prize?
We visited a village, Mundra (sp) just outside Fagaras after a day of work. This was the village Shawn and Phil werent able to see because they stayed behind to get more work done at HOH. The village seemed close knit like a tight little community. The kids knew one another and sisters and brothers took care of the younger siblings... pretty much the norm. I think I mentioned to you before the littel girl that took care of her sisters muddy dress in the creek with her clean white sweater? Yea it was this village.... these kids were playing to WIN! See those faces in that pic? It was oozing competition in that duck duck goose circle!
A little competition is good.... keeps ya moving and on your toes. But what about running the race? Are you running the race with intention or runing to get there first, completely missing the obstacles along the way? Obstacles....
We shared the Bible story of David and Goliath with these kids... In the Bible Goliath is this huge guy chosen to be defeated... and the only one who stood up to defeat him was the smallest of them all.... David. He was laughed at. Mocked and pretty much chosen to die against Goliath. But little David took the gifts he knew he was good at and used those for the Kingdom saving an entire people group! Five little stones picked up to use as a weapon.. no armor.. just a little boy and his sling. One rock hits Goliath and knocks him to the ground and little David can reach him now.... beheading Goliath with Goliaths own sword!
David knew what he was capable of and had faith that his gifts would be enough. He ran that race well... being completely aware of the competition.
While in Romania.. we did a lot of running. From place to place, thought to next thought and one challenge to another. There is no room for selfish gain... we certainly arent running the race for our own prize. He calls us each to a different mission and purpose. Some carry the stones and some sling them. Its amazing what GOd chooses to reveal to you in His timing. I can see that He had each of us there for a purpose and loving those people well was the reason! Loving well means slowing down enough to be able to feel and touch and talk. Running the race full speed ahead would have us miss the point of the mission. Looking into their eyes and seeing the reflection of our Savior there, simply isnt worth missing.
I wondered if my little friend from Toarcla would remember me from last year. She was simply attached to my hip the entire time. She loved taking pictures with my camera and when we would speak to one another she would say in her precious little Romanian dialect "I dont understand" and she would shrug her shoulders and grab my hand which spoke more than words to my heart and her actions told me... its ok that we dont speak the same language just hold my hand and be here with me. She never left my side nor did she stop holding my hand.
I knew the winter had been brutal in Romania. I knew there was a chance that she wouldnt be there when we finally made it to Toarcla. As the car pulled up the dirt and rock road making the typical dust storm awareness that we were coming... I knew the kids would be making their way to the church to meet and greet us. I anxiously searched the small crowd of children that made it there ahead of the rest... desperately needing to see her face! She wasnt there.... I was saddened and took a deep breath to stay back the tears that seemed to be welling up in my eyes knowing that there was a group of children that needed attention and loving touches and eye contact and pushing on the swing.... but my heart called out to My Lord to bring her to me!
I turned toward the village road once again.... and I spotted her! Walking toward the church.. alone and slowly... She seemed to spot me as I was in front of the crowd smiling the BIGGEST smile my face could afford without bursting. Her step picked up a little more and then a little more until she was almost running towards me. She had the most beautiful smile I have ever seen other than the first smile of my children... My heart was covered with shear joy and all I felt was love... from places in myself that were alive more than ever before. I was completely alive! I knelt down to hug her and hold her and her eyes were so blue.... all I could do was hold her little face in my hands and look deep into her eyes searching for a slight glimpse that she remembered me... and I heard the voice of MY GOD say to my heart with a roar... Thats how I feel when my children run to me! God looks into our eyes with a hope that He would see that we know HIM! That we really know HIM! He searches the crowd for us... He turns to see if we are coming toward Him... waits for us to see Him and then to run to HIM! This is the race we run... the one that brings us closer to HIM! Not to win or get there first or to be better than anyone else or to have better gifts or serve in front for the pats on the back! NO... He simply wants us to run to HIM with every step leaping into His arms because we KNOW HIM! Oh how He loves us....
Once again this year... she never left my side. She enjoyed taking pictures with my camera and wouldnt let go of my hand... she wouldnt even share my hand with the others... The little Romanian I knew and the little English she knew werent even necessary to say the things we needed to communicate to one another. We have something in common, something that brings us together once a year on a dirt road after the snow is melted... Run to finish and Hear the words of our Savior... Well done Good and Faithful Servant! you ran the race well! He will call us each by name and make eye contact with us searching for His reflection!